SENTRI: Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection

SENTRI is the world's first automated dedicated commuter lane, using advanced Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) technology modified to meet the stringent law enforcement needs at the border, while at the same time providing a more efficient means of traffic management, thereby reducing congestion. SENTRI is a border management process that has allowed the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection to vigorously enforce the law and swiftly accelerate the inspections of certain low risk, pre-enrolled crossers at ports of entry. The system identifies travelers who pose little risk to border security, verifies their low risk status through extensive record checks, and screens approved participants, and their vehicles, each and every time they enter the United States. SENTRI was first implemented at the Otay Mesa, California port of entry on November 1, 1995. SENTRI Dedicated Commuter Lanes also exist at El Paso (Stanton Street Bridge) and San Ysidro.

Technical Process

A team of law enforcement experts from the INS, U.S. Customs Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Transportation, and the United States Attorney to the Southern District of California designed the SENTRI border crossing system for the use of low risk, pre-enrolled international travelers who frequently cross the border. When an approved international traveler approaches the border in the SENTRI lane, the system automatically identifies the vehicle and validates the identity of the occupants of the vehicle. This is accomplished three ways: 1) through data maintained in a SENTRI enrollment system computer (which includes digitized photographs of the vehicles occupants); 2) from data accessed by a magnetic stripe reader and the border crosser's PortPass Identification Number; and 3) by an inspector's visual comparison of the vehicle and its passengers with the data on a computer screen. Simultaneously, automatic digital license plate readers and computers perform queries of the vehicles and their occupants against law enforcement databases that are continuously updated. A combination of electric gates, tire shredders, traffic control lights, fixed iron bollards, and pop-up pneumatic bollards ensure physical control of the border crosser and their vehicles. Using computer generated random compliance checks, and the Inspectors own initiative, the Federal Inspection agencies have detected only minor violations of customs and immigration laws.

Participants in the program wait for much shorter periods of time than regular lanes to enter the United States, even at the busiest time of day. Critical information required in the inspection process is provided to the inspector in advance of the passenger's arrival thus reducing the inspection time from an average of 30-40 seconds to an average of 10 seconds. As soon as a vehicle crosses the border, bollards, and concrete barriers create a chute that captures the SENTRI traffic and puts it under an inspector's zone of control. At the entrance of the zone, an in-ground inductive loop and a free standing light curtain sense the vehicle and enable the SENTRI Automatic Vehicle (AVI) system. The AVI antennae interrogates an RF transmitter located on the enrolled participants vehicle. Once alerted, a computer locates data about the vehicle and its authorized travelers, and stores the data for ready access and display. As a vehicle continues through the chute and approaches the inspector's booth, a second set of AVI equipment activates and sends the information (generated by the first AVI reader) to a computer screen in the inspector's booth. In an instant, the inspector's color panel fills with the information the inspector needs for validation of both the vehicle and its occupant(s). The screen shows the license number and identifies the State that issued the plate; the make, the model, the color, and identification number of the vehicle; as well as digitized pictures of the approved SENTRI participants with their name and citizenship. Upon reaching the booth, the driver stops, reaches out the window and swipes an electronically coded PortPass card through a magnetic stripe card reader. If both the inspector and the SENTRI electronic equipment approve, the traffic light turns green, the exit gate raises, the tire shredders retract, and the traveler can drive into the United States.

The Enrollment Process and SENTRI Enrollment Centers

The SENTRI program uses Form I-823 (Application Inspection Services). SENTRI applicants will be applying for the Dedicated Commuter Lane Program. Please read the instructions carefully and fill out items 1-12 AND the section titled DEDICATED COMMUTER LANE PARTICIPANTS found on page 7 of Form I-823.

You can print the Form I-823 from this web site.

Application Information:

The SENTRI Program requires all applicants to enroll in person at the SENTRI Enrollment Center. Enrollment is scheduled by appointment. To schedule your appointment, please call the Otay Mesa, CA SENTRI DCL Office at (619) 690-7600 Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. The SENTRI DCL Enrollment Center for both Otay Mesa and San Ysidro located in:

Otay Mesa SENTRI Office

2500 Paseo Internacional

Otay Mesa, California 92143-3231

OR

The El Paso, Texas SENTRI Office at (915) 872-3472 Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. The SENTRI DCL Enrollment Center for El Paso is located in:

Ysletta Port of Entry

797 X. Zaragoza Road, Building A

El Paso, Texas 79907

When applying, each SENTRI applicant must bring with them the following information:

Step 1

Forms must be completed prior to the applicant's arrival at the Enrollment Center. The applicant must also provide originals and copies of the following documents at that time:

1. Evidence of Citizenship. Birth Certificate, U.S. Passport, or Naturalization Certificate

2. Valid Passport/Visa or other entry document, if applicable

3. Evidence of Lawful Permanent Residence in the United States, if applicable

4. Valid Driver's License issued by the state in which you reside

5. Current Vehicle Registration (not vehicle title) and evidence of U.S. Automobile Insurance - if the vehicle is not registered in the name of the applicant, a notarized letter authorizing its use by the applicant is needed. A company vehicle requires written authorization on company letterhead. Vehicles registered in Mexico must be covered by an insurance policy written by a company authorized to write motor vehicle liability insurance in the U.S.

6. Evidence of Employment or Financial Support. Most recent year's tax return, most recent pay receipts, or Direct Deposit Salary Statement. Self-employed applicants must present business license, current tax information, and bank statements.

7. Evidence of Residence. Mortgage or rent payment receipts and utility bills

A non-refundable $25.00 application fee and a $24.00 fingerprint fee are required in the initial interview. Upon completion of the interview, the applicants fingerprints are taken, copies of all documents made, and an applicant file is created.

Step 2

The applicant will be contacted at a later date for a final appointment, during which the vehicle will be inspected and a transponder issued for the registered vehicle. All vehicles must conform to the required maximum wheel base length of 142 inches and maximum height of 75 inches. A final system cost fee of $80.00 will be due on the second interview.

Upon successful completion of the application process and the vehicle inspection, each applicant will be enrolled in the SENTRI DCL system and issued a SENTRI DCL PortPass. Minor applicants under the age of 14 will not be fingerprinted. However, their presence is required for the enrollment process. Should there be situations in which minor children under the age of 18 will be enrolled as participants without their parents/legal guardians, the parent or legal guardian must accompany their minor applicant during all steps of the application process.

Required Fees

Application Fee: $25.00 per person (or a maximum of $50.00 total for husband, wife and minor children)

Fingerprint Fee: $24.00

System Costs Fee: $80.00 per person (or a maximum of $160.00 total for a husband, wife and minor children)

TOTAL FEE $129.00 per person

If an approved participant wishes to register more than one vehicle for use in the SENTRI DCL lane (maximum of 4 vehicles), or an approved participant wishes to be registered in more than one vehicle (maximum of 8 persons per vehicle), an additional fee of $42.00 per vehicle will be assessed. Enrollees will be charged a $25.00 replacement fee for a card that has been lost, stolen or destroyed and a $42.00 replacement fee for a lost, stolen or destroyed transponder.

Payment of fees may be made by Master Card, VISA and American Express. For instructions regarding payments by checks or money orders, click here to see additional payment instructions. Exact dollar amount in U.S. currency is acceptable. NO COINS. A $30.00 charge is imposed if a check is not honored by the bank on which it was drawn. All fees are non-refundable.

Last Modified 06/09/2003